WE Tech Expands Into Australia

Photo: Sea Highways Ltd.

WE Tech Solutions (WE Tech), an energy efficiency solutions provider in the marine industry, and The Switch, a technology specialist of permanent magnet machines for advanced marine drive trains, have been chosen to deliver their permanent magnet shaft generator solution to Australian Toll Shipping for a series of two 12,000 dwt RORO vessels.

The Sinotrans & CSC affiliated Jinling Shipyard in China will build the ships. Delivery of advanced equipment solution from WE Tech and The Switch will commence in August 2017.

“With this two-vessel deal, we are further expanding our business with the delivery of our energy-efficient solutions, which now reach Australia,” says Mårten Storbacka, Managing Director of WE Tech. The vessels will operate between Burnie of Tasmania and Melbourne of Victoria in Australia.

Smart and energy-efficient solution

The solution used on these new-build RORO vessels enables the main engine to operate in variable speed, while both online direct-drive shaft generators create power up to 3,400 kW for the ship’s electrical network.

“WE Tech is widely known for making smart marine energy systems and is regarded as the leading solution provider within the industry,” says Martin Andtfolk, Sales Manager of WE Tech.

“Thanks to WE Drive, the propulsion machinery can be operated at optimal duty points at all vessel speeds. This saves an enormous amount of fuel and substantially decreases environmentally harmful emissions,” says Andtfolk. “The solution also efficiently distributes power to the bow thrusters.”

Saving fuel is also achieved when the vessels are in the harbor. This solution provides up to 3,000 kW of cleaner and cheaper shore power for the vessels’ electrical network, further decreasing the need for using auxiliary generators.

Improved environmental performance

“We play an important role in connecting Tasmania to our vast Australian and global network. The new RORO vessels include WE Tech’s variable frequency drive technology and PM shaft generator solution to decrease fuel consumption, operational costs and improve environmental energy-efficient performance,” says Ross Duncan, General Manager Operations at Toll Shipping. The new vessels will be available in late 2018 to replace Toll’s existing RORO vessels.

According to Mika Koli, Business Development Manager for The Switch, “The Switch is taking part in this high-efficiency project with its future-proof equipment that allows flexibility and efficiency from our part for years to come.Thanks to the undisputable advantages of The Switch PM machine in shaft generator applications, it has been selected as main power source for numerous vessels. It features the most energy-efficient technology on the market throughout the entire speed range of the machine.”